The management network synchronizes VMware components and lets you access the ESXi host through the vSphere Client or vCenter Server. It is installed with the vSphere software. You might need to disable the management network to isolate a host from the vCenter Server inventory.

Users who access this host through the vSphere Client or vCenter Server lose connectivity when you disable the management network.

One reason to disable the management network is to isolate an ESXi host from an HA and DRS cluster, without losing your static IP and DNS configurations or rebooting the host.

This operation does not require downtime for virtual machines. The virtual machines continue to run while the host is disconnected from vCenter Server and the vSphere Client.